After briefly working for the NHS, I made the choice to be my own boss. Still in the health and fitness field, I worked with GPs and health centres, setting up different schemes for a range of clientele. Holding 20+ classes a week and running multiple health programmes, I discovered a love of teaching and enjoyed the rewards of helping clients to reach a goal.

I retrained in 1996 and gained qualifications in sport massage and remedial soft tissue therapy, bringing together my interest in movement, health, and hands-on work. Over time, my focus evolved into becoming a specialist in oncology massage, long before it was widely understood or considered appropriate for people living with cancer.

My work has always been centred around people living with cancer—and just as importantly, around how we, as therapists, meet them.

Over the years, I have seen how often clients arrive having not been fully heard, their symptoms treated in isolation rather than as part of a whole experience. This has shaped the way I work and teach. For me, oncology massage is not just about adapting techniques. It is about listening, paying attention, and responding to the person in front of you.

I now teach oncology massage training courses, supporting therapists to work safely and confidently with people affected by cancer, including those undergoing treatment, in recovery, or in palliative and end-of-life care. My teaching focuses on clinical reasoning, adaptation, and the importance of presence in therapeutic work.

Although I continue to teach nationally and internationally, I have never stepped away from clinical practice. I still run my own clinic in both North London and Wales. Staying connected to real client work keeps me grounded and continues to inform my teaching.

I am passionate about providing the highest quality of training, and that extends beyond the classroom. In addition to my role with the General Council for Massage Therapies, I have contributed to the profession through roles with CNHC and as a trustee for a cancer charity.

Writing has not come naturally to me, but my role as a teacher has given me opportunities to share knowledge more widely. With support and encouragement, I have written regularly for a number of professional publications. I have been a feature writer for Massage World since 2006 and have also contributed to Co-Kinetics, The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Embody, and Today’s Therapist.

I am also the author of Sports Massage: A Hands-On Guide for Therapists, a book developed from years of clinical and teaching experience. Although the title focuses on sports massage, the underlying approach reflects my belief that, with the right understanding, therapists can work with both strength and sensitivity, allowing the hands to gather information that goes far beyond what we see.

I have also been involved in video and media work, including appearances on the BBC and a series of expert interviews with Sports Injury Clinic, sharing the benefits of massage for a range of soft tissue conditions.

I continue to teach, write, and share knowledge with therapists who want to deepen their understanding and confidence in working with complex conditions.

You can learn more about oncology massage training with Susan Findlay, view upcoming courses or join my mailing list for updates and resources.

You can also start your week with my free Massage Monday videos, where I share practical skills, clinical insights, and approaches to working with the body.